Opinion
Ft Collins, CO –-(Ammoland.com)- Follow-up on my last Quip on the American Medical Association:
I suggested declinng to answer questions about gun-ownership, political leanings, etc, when they come up in discussions on personal health matters with your doctor.
Many Doctors who are DTI students, responded:
“Medicare now requires the question about gun-ownership be asked. When it is not asked, reimbursement to the doctor is jeopardized. Answers go on a form, and forms are submitted.
The form has only two boxes, ‘Yes,’ and ‘No.’
When you answer anything other than ‘No,’ the doctor will check the ‘Yes’ box. So, when you decline to answer, no matter how politely, the ‘Yes’ box gets a check-mark in it.
Imagine, for example, that you are in Nazi Germany in 1936, and your doctor asks (as he is required to do),
‘Do you have Jewish relatives?’
When you answer, “That’s irrelevant and none of your business,” the doctor checks the ‘Yes’ box, and you suddenly have an unanticipated train-ride in your immediate future.”
With the foregoing in mind, here are some suggested responses, all far briefer than the one I advised:
- “Not for discussion here, Doctor.”
- “Doctor, unless you can explain what that has to do with my medical diagnosis and treatment, let’s not waste
our time discussing it.” - “No” (without further comment)
I like to maintain personal honesty, but I have to admit option 3 is probably best. Your best interests are served when the doctor immediately puts a check-mark in the “No” box.
Our System does not reward truthfulness and honesty. Our System rewards, indeed requires, lying.
Non-responsive answers will be translated as “Yes,” as noted above.
In addition, your refusal to answer straightforwardly will be noted, and likely interpreted further as a sign of incipient mental unsoundness.
Remember the way Stalin declared even the slightest political opposition to be prima-facie evidence of “insanity?” This malignant ideology is always just under the surface.
HRC (hillary clinton), during her recent presidential campaign, said essentially the same thing.
The apple never falls far from the evil tree.
/John
About John Farnam & Defense Training International, Inc
As a defensive weapons and tactics instructor John Farnam will urge you, based on your own beliefs, to make up your mind in advance as to what you would do when faced with an imminent lethal threat. You should, of course, also decide what preparations you should make in advance if any. Defense Training International wants to make sure that their students fully understand the physical, legal, psychological, and societal consequences of their actions or in-actions.
It is our duty to make you aware of certain unpleasant physical realities intrinsic to the Planet Earth. Mr. Farnam is happy to be your counselor and advisor. Visit: www.defense-training.com
I worked for 30 years as a physician at a VAMC. I think many of my colleagues did what I did…. just check the box no. No questions on the subject were asked.
I practice in Texas and it’s interesting how many weapons I’ve found during a physical exam. When that happens I usually stop the exam right there and start asking what caliber, make, model, holster, etc. I only have one rule regarding guns in my office: no open carry because other patients can get freaked out. I also have some vets with PTSD from their military service who would not react well. Well, two rules: if you decide to show me your weapon follow the safety rules and always keep the muzzle pointed next door towards my landlord. OTOH, I think… Read more »
Nit picking, but it’s HIPAA, not HIPPA. Ever since this started coming up I’ve vowed to lie to any doctor who asks such a question for the very reason that any sort of evasive answer will be treated as a “yes”. Fortunately, my PCP has not started asking this question.
Do you really think the government doesn’t know who owns guns???? How many of you have filled out a Form 4473??? How many of you have Goggled anything about the gun you own or accessories for it???? Do you really think that your service provider, Google, Facebook, Twitter or any of the other foolish heartbeat wasting social sites don’t have algorithms that identify you as a gun person???? NSA has all of your communications. The FBI probably has all of the 4473s in some digital format. 4473s last forever. NICS checks are supposed to be destroyed after 30 days. YEAH,… Read more »
Correction to previous post. I was thinking of another issue.. ObamaCare did NOT require doctors to ask about guns and Medicare has NEVER required asking about guns. I’ve been practicing for 35 years and have never heard of this requirement.
Congress voted to repeal this ObamaCare rule in 2017. It’s not an issue. Bless the Republicans who did it.
Here in Florida I recall legislation being passed banning physicians asking about firearms. It was challenged in court on many grounds including violation of Doctor’s Freedom of Speech”. I do not recall the current status of this issue here.
From the comments I read here I am thinking this gun question is a state thing because some have to answer a question and some do not. Those of you that have to answer a question might want to look into your state or local governments to see if they are the culprit. If it was Medicare everyone would be included.
i once FIRED a doctor for asking me this.
my doctor now knows better to ask lol.
as i have often said IT’S NO ONE BUSINESS WHO HAS THE GUNS.
I said this before but it didn’t get posted. I have four doctors that attend my various illness. I have never been asked, in person or on a form, about guns. In the last three months I have filled out health forms for two doctors, one was my primary and another was a specialist. I think the doctors mentioned are using medicare for an excuse to get the info from patients in order to pass it on to the AMA so they get a gold star.I don’t believe Medicare cares if you own guns or not. Besides, you coverage comes… Read more »